"We had the match under control and Newcastle were posing no threat at all going forward. Then a defensive mix-up let them back into the match.

"It would have been great going into the final on the back of a win over Newcastle, but the fact that we were unlucky to lose means the players should still have plenty of confidence left for Cardiff."

Martin Davis, from Hartlepool, said: "It was a strange match. The first half was littered with fouls and the referee was far too fussy, he wouldn't let the play flow.

"Bolo scored a fantastic goal. It looked a great move, we ripped Newcastle apart, I thought Zenden had wasted the opportunity with a poor first touch but he leathered the ball past Given, he never had a chance of stopping it.

"It was so disappointing not to capitalise on the goal but we should have at least got a point out of the match.

"We seemed to panic once they pulled a goal back."

Simon Fullerton, from Yarm, said: "I thought the referee had an absolute stinker. "We had what looked a good goal ruled out for off-side, yet it was clear from the away end that Michael Ricketts was in an off-side position.

"I also thought we had a blatant penalty appeal turned down. A Newcastle player clearly handled the ball inside the penalty area yet the ref waved play on."

Dave Parkinson, from Billingham, said: "I thought we were immense in the middle of the park. Boateng was all over the place and did terrific for the goal, though it was also a magnificent finish.

"I was a bit surprised that Stuart Parnaby started at left-back, I think Cooper's the best player to cover for Queudrue."